Leon Edwards warns Nate Diaz that five-round UFC 262 clash means ‘longer punishment’ for American and claims he will ‘prove to be levels above in all areas’
- Leon Edwards will take on Nate Diaz in co-main event of UFC 262 in huge fight
- British star is likely to earn title shot with victory over popular American
- It is the first time a co-main event non-title fight is scheduled for five rounds
- Diaz comes into his own later in fights but ‘Rocky’ insists it makes no difference
Leon Edwards believes his five-round fight with Nate Diaz will allow him to dish out ‘longer punishment’ at UFC 262.
The co-main event non-title fight is the first of it’s kind in the organisation’s history to go longer than three rounds and Diaz is regarded as doing his best work later in fights when his superior cardio pays dividends.
But Edwards is not remotely concerned about the engine of his opponent and is out to ‘hurt’ the American.
Leon Edwards, pictured here against Belal Muhammad last month, believes he’ll beat Nate Diaz
The American is thought to do his best work later in fights and has superb cardio
He told ESPN: ‘It’s just longer punishment for Nate than anything.
‘Everyone saying it benefits Nate because when he fought Masvidal rounds four and five were where he was starting to turn on, so we’ll see. If that’s his gameplan then it’s going to be a long first three rounds.’
‘I’ve never been stopped, never been submitted, never been knocked out, so I don’t understand what difference it will make.
‘I’m coming in there to hurt him, I’m coming in there to put him away, I’m coming in there to prove that I am levels above these guys.
Diaz last fought in 2019 and his fight with Jorge Masvidal was stopped due to cuts
Edwards thinks he is too dangerous in every area for Diaz to be able to cope with him
‘I truly believe that. I think my combinations of punches, elbows, and kicks are going to hurt him. My grappling, my cardio, I just think I’m the better man in all areas.’
Edwards fought to a no contest last month against Belal Muhammad after accidentally poking his opponent in the eye during the second round.
The No 3-ranked welterweight has been striving for a big name to meet him inside the octagon and finally has his wish.
The UFC 262 showdown with Diaz can propel the winner to a title shot against Kamaru Usman or Jorge Masvidal and will bring the Brit the kind of exposure he has lacked.